As you may already know, I study Radiography (x-rays and scans and stuff) Working in a hospital I see a lot of Muslim women who, for obvious reasons don't know what to expect when it comes to x-rays and sometimes wear things that are unsuitable for an x-ray which requires them to change into a gown and sometimes take off their hijab.
There is no guarantee that you will get a female radiographer so this is a short note on what you should wear depending on what your going to get x-rayed to maintain your modesty as much as possible and avoid awkward and unpleasant situations.
Head, Sinuses, Eyes, Face, Teeth/jaw, Neck (C-spine)
Don't wear any jewellery at all this includes rings and necklaces.
Don't wear hijab pins (maybe wear an al-mona hijab)
no metal hair clips, bobby pins, hairbands with metal etc etc.
For your neck you may need to lift up your hijab so that they can see your neck to position you.
Avoid wearing hijabs with embroidery, sequins etc.
If someone asks you to take your hijab off for anything besides the neck let them know that you have nothing metal on, but be sure that you really do have nothing metal on.
Chest/lungs, T-spine (back), shoulder, clavicles (collar bone).
Wear a completely plain (thin) top with no sequins, embroidery, logos etc
Make sure you have no metal on around the area to be x-rayed (this includes hooks & fastenings on your bra & under garments, you will be told to remove your bra)
Again avoid wearing necklaces.
You can wear a completely plain abaya with no patterns or sequeins or anything on it, when they ask you to change just take your undergarments off but put your abaya back on, explain to them it's plain and that you have nothing metal on, they should be ok with it.
You can wear a completely plain abaya with no patterns or sequeins or anything on it, when they ask you to change just take your undergarments off but put your abaya back on, explain to them it's plain and that you have nothing metal on, they should be ok with it.
Arms, elbows, wrist, hand, fingers
Wear a thin long top under your abaya/jilbab which covers your arms but is fitted, they may ask you to roll up your sleeves otherwise. Don't wear bracelets, rings or watches.
Hips, Pelvis, lower back (L-Spine)
Don't wear jeans or trousers with metal buttons, belts, studs etc.
Wear trousers with no metal on them or leggings.
Again you may wear a completely plain abaya with embroidery or sequins on it.
Again you may wear a completely plain abaya with embroidery or sequins on it.
Femur (leg), knees, ankle, feet.
For these its preferable to wear leggings so that you don't have to expose your legs. If you wear socks you will be asked to remove them. So wear leggings under your abaya/jilbab/trousers so that they can see the sape of your legs to position you correctly.
I know the types of clothes I have said is not ideal hijab so please wear them under your abaya/jilbab.
Again you may have to allow a male radiographer x-ray you in situations where there are no female radiographers available in these cases you may want a mahram to go with you, if it's a femal radiographer they can wait outside but if it's only males and they tell you there are no women available, tell them you would like your family member to be present.
Also if you are a women within the childbearing ages 12-55 years old you will be (or should be) asked if you are pregnant. This is sometimes awkward when mothers come in with their young daughters, it is just procedure so let your daughter answer. If you are pregnant please let someone know just in case they forget to ask you.
I hope this has helped inshaAllah, share with your female family members so that inshaAllah all Muslim women will be able to avoid awkward situations like men asking them to wear a hospital gown and take off their hijab.
iHijabi xxx
iHijabi xxx